Notes of the North West Scrutiny Support Officers' Network Meeting

Liverpool City Council - 15th September 2005

Present:

• Howard Boots and Christine Reid - Tameside MBC
• Peter Banes and Sally Taylor - Blackpool BC
• Andrew Burridge - Stockport MBC
• Chris Walsh and Joan Leonard - Liverpool City Council
• Emma Cooper - Warrington BC
• Jacky Denning - West Lancashire DC
• Eric Dickinson - Burnley DC
• Nicola Edwards - Cumbria CC
• Catherine Fletcher - St Helens MBC
• Peter Jones - Rochdale MBC
• Gillian Kartach - Eden DC
• Josh Mynott and Sarah Palmer - Lancashire CC
• Brian Reed - Chester CC
• Roy Sanders - Wyre DC
• Alex Villiers - Halton BC
• Helen Platts - IDeA
• Jon Talbot and Kevin Scallon - Chester University

Apologies:

• Sue Collier - Oldham MBC
• Paul Conlon - Blackburn DC
• James Doble - Lancaster City Council
• Steve Dugdale - Preston City Council
• Kathryn Foreman - Cheshire Fire Service
• Helen Gale - High Peak DC
• Kath Haydock - Pendle DC
• John Mallinson - Carlisle DC
• Jane Murray - Copeland DC
• John Penfold - Barrow DC
• Steve Sienkiewicz - Blackpool DC
• Paul Preston - Hyndburn BC

Chris Walsh Head of Committee Services, Liverpool City Council in the Chair

Notes from the Last Meeting

Agreed - No matters arising

Presentation by Helen Platts IDeA

The meeting received a presentation regarding the work of the Improvement and Development Agency and how it can help scrutiny, together with a synopsis of the recent report prepared by Steve Leach for the CfPs assessing the Overview and Scrutiny Function.

The slides from the presentation are circulated with these minutes.

A Qualification for Scrutiny

Kevin Scallon and Jon Talbot addressed the group on their ideas for a qualification for scrutiny.

They outlined that the potential qualification training would be -

• Post graduate (a degree will not be required for entry for those working in the scrutiny environment)
• Work based, not delivered in the traditional academic way
• Modular so that study can be spread over a period of time
• Accredited, so will have to be assessed
• Autonomous learning and will use a dedicated Virtual Learning Environment
• Module options possibility being created around groups of students

Discussion took place around -

• Whether post graduate was too high a level for such a qualification
• Who it would be aimed at (ie people in post or new starters)
• How the support network would operate as there are different methods of scrutiny in operation
• What should be covered in the modules
• How would the assignments be assessed and who would do it

It was agreed that the document already circulated be amended in the light of the discussion today and anyone willing to work with Jon to further develop the proposal contact him direct at Chester University. An invitation be also extended to all those not present today to feed any views direct to Jon and following this an amended version be shared with the Group.

Judicial Review of Scrutiny Consultation and Research

In the absence of Alan Darnell from Bury MBC, it was agreed to defer consideration of this matter.

Any Other Business

Questionnaire

Howard Boots advised that a questionnaire was being prepared for circulation to all members of the Group to seek views on how the network is operating and if there are any issues which are preventing the regular attendance of officers from some Authorities.

Job Evaluation

As Burnley Council has undertaken an external job evaluation scheme resulting in the down grading of some posts. Any members of the Group who have practical experiences of similar external evaluations are requested to advise Eric Dickinson, Burnley Council.

Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting

Agreed that the next meeting take place at 2.00pm on 26 January, 2006 and subject to confirmation, will be hosted by Blackpool BC.

Addendum

We have now received confirmation from Blackpool BC that they will host the next meeting.

Details of times and venue will be circulated/published later in the year.